[BCNnet] an end-of-campaign request on behalf of campaign for Forrest Claypool

[Randi Doeker - Chicago]

(Today’s quiz: what does Chicago ward politics have in common with
Santa Claus?)

 

This morning I was awakened, quite literally, by the voice of Mayor
Daley –obviously on the news- praising John Stroger.

 

And while the urge was to pull up the covers, the report has inspired
me to take action.  (Please join me -- that’s the call-to-action for
this note. Skip to the bottom if you want to avoid my attempt at
compelling direct mail copy.)

 

We know why Daley is doing what he is: He may have opposition next
year. This is called pay-it-forward politics. 

 

Until I moved to Chicago I didn’t fully appreciate what the term
“patronage army” really means. I received both my formal education and
informal training in a state where one registers a party affiliation
with the election board. My mom was a precinct committeewoman but, in
my home state, being a loyal party member just meant you supported
Democrats in general, not her personal choice.

 

Then I attended, on behalf of Forrest Claypool, my first Ward
endorsement meeting. I watched as names were checked off the list of
“official” Democrats. I asked the list-checker how one got on the
list; she didn’t know. Friends who live in the Ward say they’ve never
figured it out either. But there clearly is a list and they all know
it. 

 

My next eye-opener was when I ran an errand for the Claypool campaign
office: I picked up the daily report of the names of the people who
have already (early) voted.  Did you know that list is public?  The
ward list-keepers can check off names daily.  (Hum with me: He's
making a list, And checking it twice; Gonna find out who's naughty and
nice. Santa Claus is coming to town.) 
 
(New quiz:  Why did the Daily Herald “strongly endorse” Forrest and
yet put Stroger’s name in the headline?)
 
”The Go-Along-to-Get-Along Workers” -- For those of you who have lived
in naïve-land with me, let’s review:  You are just a regular fellow
who wants to be socially accepted in your neighborhood, at the kid’s
school, down at the pub, etc.  Wouldn’t you show up when and where the
ward “boss” directs?  Maybe you’d even believe suggestions that the
new computer voting process lets the ward boss know how you voted.
Thus, might you not feel required to both tow and toe the party line?
 
Now I’m back to the Call-to-Action.
 
Citizens for Claypool needs YOUR help. 
 
Donations are nice (and very much appreciated) but they won’t replace
feet-on-the-street.
 
Some of you have already been helping by hosting fundraisers,
sponsoring events, etc.  Thank you; thank you; thank you.  You are
what got Forrest’s campaign to the point that, per today’s news,
Stroger is switching to the Governor’s media advisors to run even
nastier ads.  And your help is probably what got RMD out talking about
Stroger.  
 
 
But if you really and truly want Forrest Claypool elected President of
the Cook County Board, now is the time to put on your sneakers and
join the day-to-day campaign volunteers. Take some time off work if
you have to -- consider it your plan to hold down your taxes.
 
Here’s how you can help
 
1.       Election day – March 21 – people power: going door-to-door in
targeted areas to get out the vote; driving voters to the polls; poll
watching 
 
2.       March 17-20: more people power: getting lit out to targeted
neighborhoods; poll watching at the nursing homes that have special
early voting (where even the elections board staffers say the
shenanigans happen)
 
3.       March 11-12 – this weekend: Be visible Claypool supporters at
one of the St. Pat’s Day parades – Saturday downtown and Sunday on the
south side.  Bring your kids and carloads of neighbors!
 
 
To sign up for any activity, just reply back to me. 
 
Or, better yet, sign up online at www.forrestclaypool.com
<http://www.forrestclaypool.com/>  .  Put in the Notes box the details
of when you are available, what you can do (ie, walk the parade, poll
watch, drive people to vote, etc.).
 
Or call the campaign office at 773-271-9500.  Or drop by the campaign
office at 4548 N. Western Avenue (at Wilson). (Remember – you can get
out the vote for Debra Shore at the same time you are helping
Forrest.)
 
Personally, I’m convinced if Forrest does not win, the opportunity for
reform in Cook County government will be lost for decades. I share the
conventional wisdom that it is John Stroger’s intention to resign
early and hand-pick his successor. It is abundantly clear he wasn’t
even planning on having to defend his seat: The Stroger campaign did
not reserve a web address until late January. 
 
But they have a huge campaign stash, financial help from unions and
others tied into their establishment, and a vast number of
street-workers with a vested interested in Stroger’s reelection – all
panicked that they will lose their jobs when Forrest takes over.
 
And yet, all the research (public and private) shows that Forrest will
win if we just get out the vote.
 
Please help us make that happen.
 
Randi Doeker
Just another volunteer for Forrest Claypool
Who otherwise would be worrying about Birds
<http://www.birdsandbuildings.org/> & Buildings
 
 
PS: You are thinking: But I’m voting Republican; I forgot to register;
or even, I don’t live in Cook County. So what. No one is going to
check your credentials before you wave a sign at a parade!
 
Kudos if you have read this far. Sorry: I don’t know why the Daily
Herald’s initial endorsement online editorial of Claypool had the
headline “Democratic Nomination for Stroger”.  It was corrected by
9am. I bet there is an interesting story behind the snafu. If anyone
has a print copy, I’m curious about how that headline read.

 

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